Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

La guaritrice di Zalindov by Lynette Noni

33 reviews

izzy_mckeough's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Written by Lynette Noni, one of my favourite fantasy authors, I had very high expectations for this book. I have to say, I was slightly disappointed by the lack of compelling plot and very slow pace. However, the book did have good characters who were believable and 3-dimensional (my favourite being Naari). The last few pages also revealed some huge plot twists which confused me at the time, but thinking back on it there was some (very subtle) foreshadowing. Overall, in my opinion one of Noni's weakest books but I'll persevere through to the second novel and hope it can add some more interesting plot to a fairly well-developed setting with good characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Self harm, Sexism, Medical content, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

sarahsbookss's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

julienicole1106's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

hannahlois's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

teri_b's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was quite the roller coaster of a YA fantasy romance novel in a rather gory setting.

Loved the beginning and the introduction into the world, then I felt, the story got a little bit of a lull until it picked up pace towards the end again.

Loved the main character and her storyline through the book. 

Some twists I did see coming, others not at all.

Star rating during reading was anything between 3 and 5, in the end I settle for a 3.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Murder

anushar's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

The book was predictable and yet somehow I completely devoured it. It’s plot line is basic and there was maybe one plot twist (a minor one) in this entire book that I was mildly shocked by. That being said, this book was addicting and I read it in a weekend. I found the characters to be lovable, although the writing did drag a bit. I thought the initial plot was very reminiscent of throne of glass, which was probably why I was able to predict so much. However the ending left me wondering what road our main character would go down, because it almost insinuated an evil-ish character arc that has me very intrigued. Anyway I will definitely be reading the next book, even though this was more of a 3.75/5 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

risingsunreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I’ve been excited for this book ever since I heard about it and it did not disappoint. I love it, the mix of fantasy with slow burn and chaotic families. With secrets and lies hidden throughout the book. And the plot twist at the end!! I think I might have to preorder the second book. 

The book follows the story of Kiva Merridan, how she ended up in the prison and the past 10 years of her life in there. The stuff she’s had to sustain and survive through. When Jaron, a prisoner who is sent there takes a liking to her and the rebel queen who is deathly sick arrives and has to take place in the trials by ordeal. Strong and determined Kiva takes her place. 

I love the characters in this book from strong willed Kiva to a determined Jaren and tipp’s giddy character. Each having an important role in the plot and I love Naari’s character to being described as an ‘amber-eyed woman’, how she has authority and doesn’t hesitate to argue with the male guards.

I loved the plot of this book and how everything isn’t what it seems and how each trial isn’t as easy as it looks and how you think it’s going to turn out. I love the subplots of slow burn romance, magical elements and unexpected loyalty between a group of strangers. The plot moved fast following each of the trials by ordeals which made it an easy read. 

If you like magical fantasy, loyalty between a group of strangers, royalty elements then this is for you! I can’t describe how much I loved reading this book and I’m really excited to see the story continue in the second book. 

(if you’re after reading this I’d look up the trigger warnings as there’s quite a few in here that are either mildly or briefly mentioned.)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

jolovestoread's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

What a surprise of an ending. The beginning is slow. I wonder if the Rebel Queen hadn't of been mentioned in the blurb if this would have added more tension earlier on. However I don't know what else to have included to make the blurb standout. I read this slowly and wouldn't liked to have been forced to read it quicker for a readathon or some other goal. However the final 100 pages were fantastic. So many twists and turns and that LAST PAGE PACKED A PUNCH. I cannot WAIT for the next book, thank heavens it's going a month and a half until it comes out. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Medical content

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment

dariusmortee's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

First things first: I love Naari, Tipp and Mot to death and will protect them however I can. 
This is why I said I did find the characters to be loveable. 

Kiva herself wasn’t the worst main character but I think she could’ve been better. Jaren annoyed me. 

I did enjoy reading this book! Although it really does fall into some tropes it is an orginal story. A story with a very dark undertone, for which I am a sucker. I am curious to how this story proceeds and will be buying the second one, but I am however also scared for the clichés it could possibly walk into. 

Overall: good story, loved the side characters but it has to watch out not to fall into the clichés. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Murder

lily_k8y's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Was a great page turner, and I sat around reading the last half of the book in one sitting (3 hours haha). 
Loved the use of some of the pages, and the element of suspense that kept me wanting to know more and more. 

Looking forward to the sequel!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Torture

Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape